The man accused of the crime, JaJuane Deshawn Etheridge, went on trial Wednesday in Clackamas County Circuit Court. He is charged with robbery, theft and unlawful use of a weapon.

It's not clear what defense Etheridge will use. His attorney, Linda Beloof, is delaying her opening statement until after the state presents its case.

Based on questions Beloof asked witnesses during cross-examination, she may argue that Etheridge is the victim of mistaken identity.

The Steeles are retirees who breed English bulldogs.

They both testified about what happened on Oct. 19, 2012, after they got a call from a man who wanted to buy a puppy.

They met the man, whom they identified as Etheridge, in the mall's parking lot near the JC Penney store.

After talking with the Steeles, Etheridge went to his car. To get money, he said.

James Steele was suspicious and jotted down the license number.

Etheridge "came back with a gun," said Patricia Steele, who was focused on paperwork when Etheridge returned.

When she looked up, she saw Etheridge pointing a silver handgun inches away from her husband's face.

View full sizePolice rescued the puppy from a Vancouver residence.Vancouver Police

What Etheridge said next is burned into her memory, she said.

"Yes, it's real and I'm not afraid to use it," Patricia Steele said. "Those are words I won't forget until the day I die."

"I really thought he was going to do it," Patricia Steele said.

The Steeles brought two puppies with them. Etheridge reached through the window and grabbed one, Harpo. The puppy was wearing a tiny blue t-shirt.

Patricia Steele crouched protectively over the other puppy. "If I'm going to die, I'm not going to let him take my dog," she said.

Etheridge, gun in his right hand, yanked Harpo away with his left, dropping the puppy when it slipped out of its shirt.

James Steele grabbed Etheridge's right wrist, forcing him to point the gun toward windshield.

"He picked up the puppy and took off," James Steele said.

An accomplice pulled up, driving a car that was registered to Etheridge, and they drove off.

The Steeles followed and called the police. A 911 dispatcher told them to end their pursuit.

Etheridge's girlfriend at the time of the robbery, Elizabeth Shaw, testified that he brought the puppy to her house.

Etheridge claimed he bought the dog "with his school money" prior to the crime and later said he got it from a friend, Shaw said.

When Shaw saw news reports about the robbery, she called the cops.

"I was concerned that the dog was stolen ... and a gun was used and I had the gun," Shaw said. She had purchased the weapon for personal protection.

Etheridge was arrested at Shaw's apartment after a three-hour standoff with the SWAT team. Investigators found Harpo in a suitcase.

In April 2013, Etheridge was sentenced to one year, eight months in prison in Clark County Superior Court after he was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property -- Harpo.